Countdown to victory: the eradication of rinderpest

Pope Clement XI, alarmed at widespread deaths in papal cattle herds, orders his physician to identify the cause of the deaths and prescribe treatment and prevention measures. The result was the first organized national program against the disease and the establishment of the concept of “quarantine”.

1st Feb, 1762

Vetrinary medicine takes off

In large measure due to the scourge of rinderpest, European universities begin to formally create centers for the study and advancement of vetinary medicine. The first is the Ecole nationale vétérinaire de Lyon in Lyon, France, in February 1762.

1st Jan, 1800

Massive cattle deaths in Western Europe

During the 1800s, an estimated 200 million cattle are killed by rinderpest in Western Europe alone.

1st Jan, 1890

Devastation in sub-Saharan Africa

First introduction of rinderpest to sub-Saharan Africa; the subsequent epidemic wipes out 80-90 percent of all cattle in the region.

1st Jan, 1920

New knowledge

In the 1920s, J. T. Edwards discovers that animals given attenuated rinderpest virus preparation are protected from the disease for their whole life.

One of the driving forces behind the foundation of FAO is the need to transfer science and know-how tocountries to help them improve veterinary services and deal with rinderpest.

28th Oct, 1948

First international attempts to tackle the problem

The first international workshop organised by FAO, “Rinderpest vaccines, their production and use in the field,” is held in Nairobi from 28 October to 1 November 1948 involving veterinary workers from 22 countries and territories

1st Jan, 1950

Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources founded

In 1950 the Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (IBAR) is established with the aim of eliminating rinderpest from the African continent.

1st Jan, 1956

First effective rinderpest vaccine developed

Between 1965 and 1963, a tissue culture rinderpest vaccine is developed and field tested and found to be safe and economical. This contrasts with the old method of inoculating cattle and buffalo with local virus strains mixed with hyperimmune serum (blood antibodies) that would neutralise the virus yet stimulate the cattle to build an immune response. British scientist Walter Plowright is a key player in this effort.

1st Jan, 1962

Joint Project 15 begins

1962: The “Joint Project 15” (JP15), launched under the auspices of the Organization of African Unity (OAU, 1963) embarked on an ambitious regional vaccination campaign and was initially very successful. By 1970 the disease had been beaten back in many African nations. But some governments then scaled down or cancelled vaccination and surveillance programs. By the end of the decade the disease resurged and emerged as a major threat across all of Africa.

1st Jan, 1980

Rinderpest ravages across Africa

Explosive outbreak in Africa kills millions of animals and leads to billions of dollars of losses (1980-82).

1st Jan, 1983

Rinderpest reconquers much of Asia

After being contained, rinderpest recolonizes a swath of Asia stretching from Bangladesh to Turkey.

1st Jan, 1985

Imagining the impossible

1980s-1990s: FAO begins holding talks with affected countries and other partners to discuss the possibility of establishing a global, coordinated anti-rinderpest campaign.

1st Jan, 1986

New vaccine

1986-1990: A thermostable vaccine that is more resistant to high temperatures is developed, facilitating vaccination campaigns in Africa.

1st Jan, 1994

GREP launched

GREP begins operations. . FAO also opens its Emergency Prevention System (EMPRES) for Transboundary Animal and Plant Pests and Disease. EMPRES’s Animal Health component goal is to promote effective containment and control of epidemic animal diseases as well as emerging pathogens and plays a key role in supporting GREP.

1st Oct, 2000

Last reported outbreak in Asia

The last reported outbreak of rinderpest in Asia occurs in Sindh Province, Pakistan.

1st Jan, 2001

Last ever outbreak in Sudan

last outbreak in Sudan. After international organizations pull out of southern Sudan due to conflicts, community animal health workers continue to canvass the region by foot, walking days at a time with thousands of doses of medicine on their back, undertaking vaccination campaigns. Some of them lost their lives, but their efforts are credited with stamping out the disease in those areas.

1st May, 2001

Rinderpest largely contained

Rinderpest largely limited to a few reservoirs: the transboundary Somali Ecosystem, Yemen, Pakistan, and Iraq.

1st Oct, 2001

Last detection in the wild

In October and November 2001 the virus is last "sighted", when the disease was diagnosed in buffalo in the Meru National Park, Kenya.

Tags

Not tagged yet

1 Comment

Mouse over the timeline to view specific items and select bubbles to get more information.
The scroll bars at the bottom can be used to focus in on specific time periods.
Right click and select "toggle full screen" to see a larger version.